Wing mirror indicator not working: what to check
Safety first: wear gloves and eye protection around cracked glass, and check your vehicle handbook before taking anything apart. If your car has airbags, sensors or cameras near the door and you are not confident, use a qualified fitter.
Many cars have an indicator repeater built into the wing mirror. When it stops working it can fail an inspection, so it is worth sorting out.
Is it a bulb or an LED?
Older cars may use a small bulb in the mirror housing. Newer cars usually use an LED module. A bulb can often be replaced, but an LED module is frequently part of the mirror housing.
Quick checks
- Do the other indicators work? If the front and rear indicators are fine but the mirror one is not, the fault is local.
- Does the dashboard flash faster than normal? This is often a sign of a failed bulb on that side.
- Is there moisture inside the housing? Water can damage the LED board.
- Has the mirror been knocked? A knock can loosen a connector or break a wire.
Common causes
- A failed bulb or LED module.
- A loose or corroded connector in the mirror or door.
- Damaged wiring in the door rubber boot.
- A cracked housing letting water in.
Fixing it
If it is a bulb, replacing it may be all that is needed. If the module is built into the housing, a complete mirror unit is usually the practical repair. Match your car's year, side and options, as described in our guide on finding the right wing mirror.
Frequently asked questions
Is a faulty mirror indicator a problem at the NCT?
A non-working indicator can be a problem at inspection. See our guide on whether a broken wing mirror is an NCT fail, and check the NCT standards.
Why is my indicator flashing fast?
Many cars flash faster when a bulb on that side has failed. A built-in LED may not always do this, so check the mirror itself.
Need help finding the right mirror?
Send us your registration number, which side (driver or passenger) and a photo of the back of the mirror, and we will point you to the correct part.